Shortly after 3 a.m. on Tuesday, June 17, a deputy found an 18-year-old man stumbling on Swan Mountain Road east of Sapphire Point. The man was covered in blood with deep cuts on his face.

He was transported to St. Anthony Summit Medical Center in Frisco and then airlifted to St. Anthony Hospital in Denver where he underwent surgery.

During the investigation, the victim told detectives he was attacked in the woods by known assailants.

The victim later said Vanmatre drove him to Summit County under false pretenses with the specific intent to kill him.

Vanmatre and the victim arrived at a predetermined location in the woods near Sapphire Point, the victim said, and Vanmatre attacked him with a machete.

The victim said he was able to fight back, escape the attack and hide from Vanmatre.

Vanmatre has been charged with attempted murder in the first degree, a class 2 felony, conspiracy, a class 6 felony, assault in the first degree, a class 3 felony, and menacing, a class 5 felony.

Vanmatre remains in custody, and no bond has been set.

Officials have withheld the name of the victim pending an ongoing investigation.

“This was a very tragic event and the victim is extremely lucky to have survived,” said Sheriff John Minor in a statement Friday. “I am very proud of all of the sheriff’s office staff that came together and worked diligently to solve this case.”